EP0957769A1 - Apparatus for ultrasonic tissue investigation - Google Patents
Apparatus for ultrasonic tissue investigationInfo
- Publication number
- EP0957769A1 EP0957769A1 EP96905953A EP96905953A EP0957769A1 EP 0957769 A1 EP0957769 A1 EP 0957769A1 EP 96905953 A EP96905953 A EP 96905953A EP 96905953 A EP96905953 A EP 96905953A EP 0957769 A1 EP0957769 A1 EP 0957769A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tissue
- signals
- area
- pulse
- visual image
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
- G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
- G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
- G01S15/8934—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a dynamic transducer configuration
- G01S15/8938—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a dynamic transducer configuration using transducers mounted for mechanical movement in two dimensions
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
- A61B8/0858—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for an investigation of tissue based on the emission and reception of ultrasound.
- an ultrasonic transducer is linked acoustically to the skin of a patient, optionally with the introduction of an appropriate coupling and lubricating medium.
- Ultrasonic pulses transmitted into the patient are then reflected from reflecting surfaces at interfaces between the various layers of tissue within the patient.
- the reflected pulses are received by the transducer and signals representative of the pulses are generated and combined by appropriate computing means to enable a visual representation of the zone of treatment of the patient to be recreated.
- Human and other animal tissues are arranged in layers from superficial to deep usually comprising the outermost layer of epidermis, followed by papillary and reticular layers of dermis, beneath which lies a layer of fat. and then other tissues such as tendon, ligament. muscle and bone.
- a proportion of the ultrasonic input will be reflected and can be received to generate a visually identifiable picture of the condition at any one particular interface. This enables and aids diagnosis of any disorder of the skin or underlying tissue.
- an apparatus for ultrasonic tissue investigation comprising ultrasonic transducer means adapted to emit pulsed emissions into tissue, means so to move said transducer means as to scan an area of tissue to be investigated, means to receive signals reflected from interfaces between tissue layers, means to convert said received signals into a visual image of the tissue, and means to display said visual image, wherein said emissions of ultrasonic radiation are so pulsed that each pulse has a very rapid fall back period.
- the received signals are split into positive and negative part signals, each of which is separately amplified by log compressor means, with the amplified signals being recombined to give an input to said means to convert said recombined signals into a visual image.
- the means to move said ultrasonic transducer may be a stepper motor adapted to move said ultrasonic transducer within an area having a travel of up to approximately 15mm, using a transducer of diameter up to approximately 6mm.
- Each scan of the area may involve a plurality of pulses, having a pulse repetition frequency in the region of 1ms, each pulse being of duration less than 50ns.
- a method of tissue investigation comprising scanning an area of tissue using an apparatus as described above.
- Fig. l is a cross sectional view ⁇ l ' a ⁇ be head 1 ' ⁇ use in the ⁇ ics ul invciition;
- Fig.2 is a diagram of the circuit for the probe pulser and preamplifier of the present invention.
- Fig.3 is a circuit diagram for the log amplifier system of the present invention.
- Fig.4 shows the system in a schematic form
- Fig.5 shows schematically the electronic systems of the probe
- Fig.6 shows schematically the electronic systems of the main RF amplifier.
- Fig. l shows an apparatus for application to an area of skin, of a patient or hide.
- the apparatus comprises a transducer 1 , which may be moved by means of a stepper motor 2 to scan an area of tissue on or under that particular area of skin.
- the motor 2 drives shaft 4, which is supported between an external shift bearing 5 and an internal shaft bearing 6, and the transducer 1 is movable between positions 1 and la as shown in Fig 1.
- the transducer is driven along the shaft by means of flexible drive 7, although connection may also be made through link arm 8.
- the transducer 1, housed within cone 9, has preferably a piezoelectric polymer element capable of emitting a single cycle pulse at a frequency of between 10 and 50MHz.
- the preferred centre frequency is in the region of 20MHz and, as will be described below, the probe transducer is activated at a high voltage, and the system is adapted to cause an ultra fast rise and fall time pulse. The sharp signals given thereby enable a better reception of the reflected signals.
- the control electronics of the system are housed in area 3 and are described in more detail below.
- the probe electronics contain a pulse generator for energising the ultrasound transducer and a preamplifier for the returning signal.
- the time gain compensator and motor control unit contains the main signal amplifier and the control and drive electronics for the probe motor. This may be connected to a compatible computer along with an analogue to digital converter board.
- the probe electronics there are two pans. I ' irstly the ⁇ ulsci . which ⁇ .encraics an uln a last signal of rise and fall time ( > 30kV/ ⁇ s) very short duration ( ⁇ 20ns) high voltage pulse ( > 300V).
- the pulse is produced from a single low voltage (4- 12 volt) supply to the board.
- the pulse is created by the back emf of a small inductor acting as an impedance transformer with an avalanche transistor to limit the pulse duration and to produce an ultra fast fall time for the pulse.
- Pulse triggering is generated by a 3 ⁇ s 5 volt positive supplied to pin 1 of JPI. This causes the inputs to U2 of the 74HCT14 hex inverting Schmitt triggered buffer to go high for 3 ⁇ s.
- the turn on speed of Ql is limited by Rl and the gate capacitance of Ql. This prevents a significant pulse from the in-rush current into Tl, which saturates within 3 ⁇ s.
- the outputs of U2 go high turning Q2 on quickly which turns off Ql in less than 10ns. This causes a back emf pulse of in excess of 600 volts to be generated across Tl.
- a preamplifier with input protection which consists of a standard current mode opamp with the input protected by a diode bridge.
- This amplifier has a voltage gain of 17 (12.3dB).
- the received signal having been preamplified, is fed to a time gain compensation circuit to allow for attenuation through the various layers of tissue being investigated.
- An amplifier consists of five stages.
- the first stage is a variable gain amplifier with a -lOdB to +30dB control. This acts as overall gain control for the system.
- the second stage is a variable gain amplifier and ramp generator with a 0 to + 30dB control range that is ramped at a controlled rate and acts as the time gain compensation.
- the third stage is a precision rectifier that splits the signal into the positive and negative parts ⁇ l ' the signal, and lor the fourth stage, a log compressor consisting of two 50dB log amps. The output of these two log amps is recombined in the fifth stage and buffered to give a 50 ohm output for input to the analogue/digital converter.
- a motor control comprises a bipolar stepper motor drive using MOSFET transistors with phase sequencing provided by a specially programmed PAL.
- the step rate and step count is controlled by d e host computer through an industrial standard S254 counter/timer IC.
- the signal has an improved range and discrimination when transferred to an analogue digital converter and thence to the computing means and visual display means.
- Value can be added to the visual display by subjecting the returned signals either to a process of fractal analysis, wavelet analysis or a fast Fourier transform.
- Fractal analysis comprises representing the region of interest of the skin and underlying tissue as a three dimensional landscape, with lateral and axial dimensions on a horizontal plane and the intensity of the image (0-256) on a vertical axis.
- the area of landscape can then be mapped using flat disc shaped structuring elements with no height in a grey scale dimension and using techniques of mathematical morphology, the surface area of the image can be measured at different resolutions by removing features of less than a particular size. According to the method, this can be performed for resolutions between 1 pixel up to 20 pixels. At any given resolution, the rate of change of the surface area with respect to resolution is related to the estimated fractal dimension at that resolution.
- the set of estimated fractal dimensions up to resolutions of 20 pixels defines the fractal signature.
- Apparatus embodying the invention will find use in identifying and diagnosing tumours. injuries and any other abnormal condition up to depth of 3-5cm below the skin surface being investigated. Such noninvasive investigation is obviously a benefit to the patient and the apparatus provides a means of carrying out such investigation quickly, and with the advantage of giving clear images of any problem which may be encountered within the tissue surveyed.
- One further use of the invention is in the testing of hides, sheepskins, and other materials used for commercial purposes such as clothing or footwear.
- the value of the hide will depend upon its surface perfection. This is not easy to see until the hair (or wool or the like) has been removed.
- the apparatus of the present invention can be used to scan a hide from an "inside” (deep) surface thereof and determine whether imperfections are likely to appear on the opposite "outside” surface once the hair has been removed.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9504751 | 1995-03-09 | ||
GBGB9504751.0A GB9504751D0 (en) | 1995-03-09 | 1995-03-09 | Apparatus for ultrasonic tissue investigation |
PCT/GB1996/000566 WO1996028096A1 (en) | 1995-03-09 | 1996-03-11 | Apparatus for ultrasonic tissue investigation |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0957769A1 true EP0957769A1 (en) | 1999-11-24 |
EP0957769B1 EP0957769B1 (en) | 2006-03-29 |
EP0957769B9 EP0957769B9 (en) | 2007-02-21 |
Family
ID=10770911
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96905953A Expired - Lifetime EP0957769B9 (en) | 1995-03-09 | 1996-03-11 | Apparatus for ultrasonic tissue investigation |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6073045A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0957769B9 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11507846A (en) |
AU (1) | AU721503B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69635983T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2264137T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9504751D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996028096A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA961941B (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6120445A (en) | 1998-10-02 | 2000-09-19 | Scimed Life Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for adaptive cross-sectional area computation of IVUS objects using their statistical signatures |
US7255678B2 (en) * | 2002-10-10 | 2007-08-14 | Visualsonics Inc. | High frequency, high frame-rate ultrasound imaging system |
US7158754B2 (en) | 2003-07-01 | 2007-01-02 | Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, Llc | Electromagnetic tracking system and method using a single-coil transmitter |
EP1738407B1 (en) | 2004-04-20 | 2014-03-26 | Visualsonics Inc. | Arrayed ultrasonic transducer |
US20060241495A1 (en) * | 2005-03-23 | 2006-10-26 | Eastman Kodak Company | Wound healing monitoring and treatment |
EP1952175B1 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2013-01-09 | Visualsonics, Inc. | Digital transmit beamformer for an arrayed ultrasound transducer system |
US7460248B2 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2008-12-02 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Tissue imaging system |
US9451929B2 (en) | 2008-04-17 | 2016-09-27 | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. | Degassing intravascular ultrasound imaging systems with sealed catheters filled with an acoustically-favorable medium and methods of making and using |
US9184369B2 (en) | 2008-09-18 | 2015-11-10 | Fujifilm Sonosite, Inc. | Methods for manufacturing ultrasound transducers and other components |
EP3309823B1 (en) | 2008-09-18 | 2020-02-12 | FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. | Ultrasound transducers |
US9173047B2 (en) | 2008-09-18 | 2015-10-27 | Fujifilm Sonosite, Inc. | Methods for manufacturing ultrasound transducers and other components |
US8545412B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2013-10-01 | Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. | Systems and methods for making and using image-guided intravascular and endocardial therapy systems |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5261280A (en) * | 1984-06-04 | 1993-11-16 | Stephen G. Matzuk | Tissue signature tracking transceiver |
US4858124A (en) * | 1984-08-15 | 1989-08-15 | Riverside Research Institute | Method for enhancement of ultrasonic image data |
JPH0718842B2 (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1995-03-06 | 日立建機株式会社 | Ultrasonic inspection device |
US5115814A (en) * | 1989-08-18 | 1992-05-26 | Intertherapy, Inc. | Intravascular ultrasonic imaging probe and methods of using same |
GB9323482D0 (en) * | 1993-11-13 | 1994-01-05 | Palmer Stuart B | Electromagnetic acoustic transducers |
GB2293651B (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1998-04-22 | Intravascular Res Ltd | Medical untrasound imaging |
-
1995
- 1995-03-09 GB GBGB9504751.0A patent/GB9504751D0/en active Pending
-
1996
- 1996-03-11 JP JP8527376A patent/JPH11507846A/en active Pending
- 1996-03-11 WO PCT/GB1996/000566 patent/WO1996028096A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-03-11 ES ES96905953T patent/ES2264137T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-03-11 ZA ZA961941A patent/ZA961941B/en unknown
- 1996-03-11 US US08/894,791 patent/US6073045A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-03-11 DE DE69635983T patent/DE69635983T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-03-11 AU AU49509/96A patent/AU721503B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-03-11 EP EP96905953A patent/EP0957769B9/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9628096A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9504751D0 (en) | 1995-04-26 |
WO1996028096A1 (en) | 1996-09-19 |
AU721503B2 (en) | 2000-07-06 |
EP0957769B1 (en) | 2006-03-29 |
DE69635983D1 (en) | 2006-05-18 |
US6073045A (en) | 2000-06-06 |
ES2264137T3 (en) | 2006-12-16 |
AU4950996A (en) | 1996-10-02 |
EP0957769B9 (en) | 2007-02-21 |
ZA961941B (en) | 1996-09-20 |
DE69635983T2 (en) | 2006-12-21 |
JPH11507846A (en) | 1999-07-13 |
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